Criminal attorney in Clay County, MO. No matter the nature of the charges brought against you, you have privileges that are guaranteed by the law of this country. The criminal attorney defense team at Combs Waterkotte is committed to doing everything possible to secure the most favorable results for those in need of criminal defense in Clay County, MO. We handle all levels of criminal cases from credit card fraud to murder and homicide charges. Whether you’re accused of a crime you didn’t commit, a situation was outside of your control or you just made a poor decision, we will fight persistently for you and passionately enforce your rights and freedom. Call a criminal attorney in Clay County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-obligation case evaluation.
If you’ve been charged with a a felony or misdemeanor, your number one fear is having your freedom put at risk. The United States has has two million people in prisons or jails. The best way to avoid incarceration in Clay County, MO is with the legal counsel and advocacy of a veteran and compassionate criminal attorney. We know that, whatever reason you are in this situation, you are likely apprehensive about how these charges may upend your life. We’ll work hard to get your charges reduced or thrown out and pursue every option to avoid incarceration. Call a criminal attorney in Clay County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP.
Clay County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Clay County and Missouri.
What a Criminal Attorney in Clay County, MO Can Do For You
Criminal attorneys know the criminal defense system, the laws that guide them, how to talk to a prosecutor and how to defend you in front of a jury. Some of what we can help with are:
Delay or Stop Formal Charges
After you’ve been detained, a knowledgeable criminal attorney can often meet with a prosecutor or district attorney in Clay County, MO, show them evidence that demonstrates it is highly unlikely you committed the crime, and stop the charges from being filed or charge you with a less serious crime.
Enforce Your Rights
When Clay County, MO law enforcement believes they’ve apprehended an offender, they have a lot at their disposal to obtain the evidence needed for a conviction. According to a Frazier v. Cupp, 394 U.S. 731 (1969)
, police are even permitted to lie during interrogations. A criminal attorney will stand by your side and make sure that law enforcement does not violate:
- Your Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure
- Your Fifth Amendment right to due process
- Your Sixth Amendment right to legal representation
Conduct an Investigation
A criminal attorney in Clay County, MO will carry out an aggressive and methodical investigation, equal to or surpassing that of the prosecution, in an effort to discover physical evidence and witnesses that are beneficial to your cause. We’ll also examine how the evidence brought against you was acquired, and if any of your rights were violated or if there are holes in the state’s case.
Develop a Defense Strategy
Depending on the quality and amount of evidence against you, different defense strategies might be applied. In some cases, it may be best to accept a plea deal. We may recommend writing a petition to the judge for a more lenient sentence because of mitigating circumstances. In other cases it might be possible to prove you did not committed the crime or, if we proceed to trial, convince a jury that there is not enough evidence to convict you beyond a reasonable doubt. Are witnesses unreliable? Was important evidence contaminated? Is there somebody else that may have committed the crime? We’ll look into every detail of your case to persuade a jury they cannot ethically find you guilty you based on the evidence.
Provide You With Trustworthy Legal Advice
A Combs Waterkotte criminal attorney will be honest with you about the odds of success for different defense strategies. We understand you’d like to be acquitted. Still, sometimes it may make the most sense for you, your family and your freedom to choose another strategy. No matter what, the choice of how to approach your defense is in your hands.
Cases Our Criminal Attorney in Clay County, MO Takes
Your Clay County, MO criminal attorney has experience defending our clients’ rights in many different cases, from minor infractions to the most serious charges like murder. Some of the cases we see most often are:
- Violent Crimes
- Theft/Larceny
- DWI/DUI
- Drug Charges
- Probation Violation
- Child Abuse, Neglect or Abandonment
- Gun Charges
- Sex Crimes
- Juvenile Crimes
- Traffic Tickets
Whatever charges you’re facing in Clay County, MO, Combs Waterkotte will be compassionate and defend you. We understand that situations get out of hand, or we can become involved in situations outside of our control. For sympathetic, dedicated and knowledgeable legal representation, get in touch with a criminal attorney at Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP.
Public Defender or a Private Clay County, MO, MO Criminal Attorney?
The option of a free public defender can be attractive, but usually you’ll be best served by hiring a private Clay County, MO criminal attorney like those at Combs Waterkotte. For starters, public defenders our overworked. A 2014 Study of the Missouri Public Defender System reported that Clay County, MO public defenders often do not even have half the amount of time necessary to come up with an adequate defense. While there are great public defenders, they are human and their high case loads may keep them from devoting as much time necessary to your case.
Another study found that prosecutors offer better deals when a private defense attorney is involved in order to avoid a lengthy trial. It also reported that prison sentences is, on average, five years less with a private attorney, despite private attorneys usually taking on more serious cases.
Click on the links below to see what other services we offer in Clay County, MO:
Call a Criminal Attorney in Clay County, MO Today | Combs Waterkotte
When you call us, one of our criminal attorneys will give you a no-obligation case evaluation with no disapproval, regardless of your level of innocence and the evidence against you. We sincerely care about all of our clients and about getting them the best result. You’ll always speak directly to the attorney handling your case — not a paralegal. Whether you’re innocent of the charges or the evidence is stacked against you, we’ll fight hard to get the best outcome in your case. Call criminal attorney in Clay County, MO today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so we can start working for you.